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Studies in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine tied air pollution to an increased risk for stroke and memory loss. Data from the Nurses' Health Study showed that long-term exposure to both coarse and fine particulate matter was linked to a faster cognitive decline among older women. In another study, researchers noted a 34% higher stroke risk in the 24 hours following Environmental Protection Agency reports of "moderate" levels of fine particulate air pollution compared with "good" readings.

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Approximately 2.1 million individuals die worldwide every year because of an increase in fine particulate matter that float in the air, according to a report in the journal Environmental Research Letters. "Our estimates make outdoor air pollution among the most important environmental risk factors for health," study co-author Jason West said.

Pregnant women exposed to increased levels of particulate air pollution were more likely to give birth to smaller babies, according to a study in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives. Every 10-microgram increase of pollution particles per cubic meter of air was linked to an 8.9 gram decline in infant birth weight, researchers said.

Researchers looked at the records of more than 14,000 people ages 50 and above in the U.S., and found that those who lived in highly polluted areas scored worse on tests of mental abilities including memory and language. Test scores dropped 0.36 points per each 10-point increase in levels of fine particulate air matter. The findings were to be presented at a meeting of the Gerontological Society of America.

The American Heart Association on Monday said a review of six years of data showed strong evidence that air pollution can lead to heart attacks, stroke and early death. The group said fine particulate matter from burning fossil fuels was the biggest problem, directly increasing risk by triggering events in susceptible individuals.

Fine particulates in polluted air increase the risk for heart disease in older women much more significantly than previously believed, according to a new report. The Environmental Protection Agency tightened daily limits on the particulate pollution in September, but left the average annual limit untouched, and the study of more than 65,000 women showed that the long-term standard should be lower, a pollution specialist said.